About LightScribeSoftware.org
Welcome fellow LightScribers
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This is not your standard ‘About Me’ page.
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Although I introduce myself and explain why I created LightScribeSoftware.org, this page reads like a ‘history of LightScribe‘ from early 2013 (although the site was first created in 2008).
Over a period of about 2 years, LightScribe underwent some dramatic changes. As these changes happened, I added to this page to record what was taking place.
Its now 2020 and I have added whole new sections to the site and revisiting each page to make sure it’s up-to-date. With that in mind I could have removed all these previous ‘posts’ and rewritten the entire page, but I chose not to and here’s why.
I have left the format as it was because, you may wish to know, if you didn’t already, the important changes to that happened to LightScribe, and HP’s involvement (or lack of it) since 2013.
This puts into perspective where LightScribe is now, and how the future may develop.
I hope you find the information useful.
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About Me
I don’t want to put you to sleep with a long explanation of who I am, and why I have put together LightScribeSoftware.org. That said, since you are here you deserve a little background on me and the reason for the site, so here goes.
My name is Steve Nelson, I have been using LightScribe since February 2006, and in that time I have created about 27,000 LightScribe labels.
I’m not saying that makes me an expert, although I have been called “The LightScribe Guru” by some 🙂 I prefer to be thought of as an avid fan.
Wishing to get the most from LightScribe, I have assembled what I believe to be the most complete LightScribe Software Package available. Something that more than 30,000 customers have kindly agreed with.
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LightScribe’s Recent History
20 Feb 2013
About LightScribeSoftware.Org
So that’s me. So why this website?
On February 19 2013, HP, (if you did not know, HP invented LightScribe) took down their LightScribe support site LightScribe.com.
I believe this is the latest step in HP’s move to stop supporting LightScribe.
This is something many in the LightScribe community have been expecting. Since HP stopped putting LightScribe drives in their PCs and Laptops for some time now, and the lack of development for Windows new OS, Win 8. In addition, there have been no updates to the LightScribe System Software since 2 July 2012. By comparison in the early years (LightScribe was announced in late 2004) the System Software would have a number of updates every month.
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4 March 2013
If this was HPs intention or not, nobody is willing to admit, however HP have reinstated the site now (it was removed for about 10 days).
During this time it was my fear that the LightScribe community would be without the necessary access to the System Software that’s essential for a working LightScribe system. It was then I decided that I needed to act, and act fast!
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Website for Support and Free Downloads
LightScribeSoftware.org is being transformed from just a LightScribe ‘Support’ site to a Support and Free Software Download site.
One that will make permanently available the software we have come to rely on as well as all the other free labeling software much loved by people when they start using LightScribe to create DVD and CD labels.
I won’t hide the fact that I have here for sale my own LightScribe Toolbox Premium.
I would be doing everybody who wants a complete LightScribe labeling solution a disservice, if I did not. However my main goal was to make available to all, the free software many have used for years to creating their LightScribe labels.
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17 March 2013
HP and LightScribe.com Update
As discussed in my, 16 March 2013 blog post, LightScribe Returns, HP as of 14 March 2013 now updated the free software.
This however does not, in my opinion, remove the need for an ‘independent’ LightScribe resource and support site. One day HP will pull the plug on LightScribe and I will be here still to take up the slack… 🙂
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LightScribe Support
In addition to making the software available, I want to include a support area where I can share what I have learned about LightScribe and more importantly how to overcome the many problems encountered, especially when installing LightScribe for the first time.
I have personalty used LightScribe on Windows, XP, Vista and 7. (although some of my customers have been using it on Win 8 (32 and 64 Bit) despite HP’s stating the system software does not support this…
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Windows 8 Update
Things continue to improve 🙂 HP has finally updated the LightScribe System Software to run on Windows 8. To download this latest version Go Here Enjoy Scribers … 🙂
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28 December 2013
HP Stops ALL LightScribe Support
Finally what I suspected would happen, has.
As of early December 2013, HP have finally pulled the plug on their LightScribe support website – LightScribe.com
Software Updates
This means that we will no longer get updates for the LightScribe System Software, Simple Labeler and Template Labeler. I’m sure we can, with the ingenuity of LightScribe fans worldwide, solve the issues that will lie ahead.
I will do all I can to support, you, my fellow LightScribe users. I am sure we can keep this great LightScribe show on the road for as long as we can get manufacturers to support LightScribe and keep making the LightScribe Drives and Discs we all need.
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14 October 2015
LightScribe and Windows 10
Despite no update in the System Software and Free labeling software, Windows 10 has not caused any more problems for LightScribe than Win 8.1.
If you find it difficult to install the System Software (especially with 10 Pro) the best way is to use either Win 7 or 8.0 Compatibility settings – this works 90% of the time.
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Video Support 2018
On 8 May 2018 I added a new video tutorial section to the site; you can take a look here.
5 October 2021
The release of Windows 11 has once again not changed the use of LightScribe. The installation of the System Software will still require the same Comp settings as Windows 10 before it.
Thankfully Microsoft has not gone down the road adopted by Apple with the last few iterations of OSX where they have ‘banned’ the installation of 32bit software – Microsoft in this at least still gives YOU the user the choice as to what software you use 🙂
2024 Onwards
This site is an ongoing project.
Any new LightScribe developments I will share here, although more likely in separate blog posts rather than yet more to this expanded ‘About Page’.
Free Downloads Update
To the naysayers who think ‘nobody cares about LightScribe any more‘.
In 2023 (the last full year), the Free LightScribe Software on this site was downloaded over 90,000 times!
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So nobody cares – I DON’T THINK SO 🙂
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I hope you enjoy, and can use, what’s available on the site.
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Please spread the word, let’s help as many folks who love LightScribe, as we do, continue to use it.
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My best as always,
